Year of EU entry: 1995 Capital city: Stockholm Total area: 449 964 km² Population: 9.2 million Currency: krona (kr) Schengen area: Member of the Schengen area since 1996
Sweden
Detailed map - click on the map
Hej Hej
GEOGRAPHY
Sweden has the largest population of the Nordic countries. It is separated in the west from Norway by a range of mountains and shares the Gulf of Bothnia to the north of the Baltic Sea with Finland. The southern part of the country is chiefly agricultural, with forests covering an increasing percentage of the land the further north one goes. Population density is also higher in southern Sweden, with many people living in the valley of Lake Mälaren and the Öresund region.
POLITICS and HISTORY
In 1971 the Riksdag became a single-chamber Parliament. Its 349 members are elected on the basis of proportional representation for a four-year term. The country has at least 17 000 indigenous Samis among its population – a community that derives most of its income from reindeer. Sweden is also home to a small number of ethnic Finns.
ECONOMY
Sweden exports cars, engineering products, steel, electronic devices, communications equipment and paper products.
FAMOUS PEOPLE
Swedes played a pioneering role of the early days of cinema. Leading the way were Mauritz Stiller and Victor Sjöström. Later on, directors like Ingmar Bergman and actresses such as Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman and Anita Ekberg made careers abroad. Swedish music is in many minds synonymous with the '70s pop group ABBA.
FOOD AND DRINK Swedish cuisine is known for its Smorgåsbord (a buffet of savoury delicacies), Baltic herring, pea soup and pancakes.
The Swedish writer to have made the most lasting impression on world literature is the children's book writer Astrid Lindgren, and her books about Pippi Longstocking, Emil, and others.
Science and technology
Tycho Brahe, born in 1546 in an area of present-day Sweden which was then Denmark, made the careful astronomic observations upon which Kepler proved and quantified the heliocentricCopernican solar system.
Northern Sweden, including legendary Swedish Lapland, is unique.
Central Sweden wows with a host of cool places to go and events and activities to enjoy.
Of course you have to experience capital city Stockholm, but do put the medieval city of Uppsala and challenger for ‘prettiest town anywhere’ Sigtuna on your itinerary.
Stockholm: One of the world’s most beautiful cities. Sweden’s capital city spreads out over 14 islands in Lake Mälaren and looks out proudly to the Baltic Sea to the east.
-the Royal Palace Built from 1697 to 1760, the impressive main facade is one of the most familiar symbols in Sweden.
-Stockholm City Hall a beautiful example of Nordic National Romantic style,
-The Vasa Museum is the most popular museum in all of Scandinavia and features some extraordinary sea vessels from the past.
The fabulous Kullaberg coastline in the north is dotted with fabulous fishing villages like Mölle and Arild and exclusive seaside towns such as Torekov and Båstad. Being one of Europe’s richest farming areas southern Sweden is big on small-scale artisan food production and farmers market. The lamb, venison, goose and shellfish are wonderful. Enjoy them all in the restaurants, bistros, bars and cafés in Malmö.
5. West Sweden is a unique region in the heart of Scandinavia. A breath-taking mix of coastline,
islands, lakes and thick forests, Vibrant Gothenburg, the gateway to West Sweden, is a coastal lively
cultural scene, stylish shopping and a fast-growing reputation as a foodie hotbed.
Year of EU entry: 1995
Capital city: Stockholm
Total area: 449 964 km²
Population: 9.2 million
Currency: krona (kr)
Schengen area: Member of the Schengen area since 1996
Detailed map - click on the map
Hej Hej
GEOGRAPHY
Sweden has the largest population of the Nordic countries. It is separated in the west from Norway by a range of mountains and shares the Gulf of Bothnia to the north of the Baltic Sea with Finland.
The southern part of the country is chiefly agricultural, with forests covering an increasing percentage of the land the further north one goes. Population density is also higher in southern Sweden, with many people living in the valley of Lake Mälaren and the Öresund region.
POLITICS and HISTORY
In 1971 the Riksdag became a single-chamber Parliament. Its 349 members are elected on the basis of proportional representation for a four-year term.
The country has at least 17 000 indigenous Samis among its population – a community that derives most of its income from reindeer. Sweden is also home to a small number of ethnic Finns.
ECONOMY
Sweden exports cars, engineering products, steel, electronic devices, communications equipment and paper products.
FAMOUS PEOPLE
Swedes played a pioneering role of the early days of cinema. Leading the way were Mauritz Stiller and Victor Sjöström. Later on, directors like Ingmar Bergman and actresses such as Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman and Anita Ekberg made careers abroad. Swedish music is in many minds synonymous with the '70s pop group ABBA.
FOOD AND DRINK
Swedish cuisine is known for its Smorgåsbord (a buffet of savoury delicacies), Baltic herring, pea soup and pancakes.
http://europa.eu/about-eu/countries/member-countries/sweden/index_en.htm
Literature
The Swedish writer to have made the most lasting impression on world literature is the children's book writer Astrid Lindgren, and her books about Pippi Longstocking, Emil, and others.
Science and technology
Tycho Brahe, born in 1546 in an area of present-day Sweden which was then Denmark, made the careful astronomic observations upon which Kepler proved and quantified the heliocentric Copernican solar system.
In 1739, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences was founded, with people such as Carolus Linnaeus and Anders Celsius as early members. Many of the companies founded by early pioneers still remain major international brands. Gustaf Dalén founded AGA, and received the Nobel Prize for his sun valve. Alfred Nobel invented dynamite and instituted the Nobel Prizes. Lars Magnus Ericsson started the company bearing his name, Ericsson, still one of the largest telecom companies in the world.
TOP 10 SIGHTS IN SWEDEN
Of course you have to experience capital city Stockholm, but do put the medieval city of Uppsala and challenger for ‘prettiest town anywhere’ Sigtuna on your itinerary.
-the Royal Palace Built from 1697 to 1760, the impressive main facade is one of the most familiar symbols in Sweden.
-Stockholm City Hall a beautiful example of Nordic National Romantic style,
-Old Town (Gamla Stan)
-The Vasa Museum is the most popular museum in all of Scandinavia and features some extraordinary sea vessels from the past.
5. West Sweden is a unique region in the heart of Scandinavia. A breath-taking mix of coastline,
islands, lakes and thick forests, Vibrant Gothenburg, the gateway to West Sweden, is a coastal lively
cultural scene, stylish shopping and a fast-growing reputation as a foodie hotbed.